Explore Tours
Come and join us on board Rovos Rail, one of the most luxurious trains in the world, for a journey through Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa.
This epic Rovos Rail expedition is one of the most famous train journeys in the world. Shortly after the bustling departure from Dar es Salaam, traverse the fertile lands of Tanzania to the Selous Reserve, the largest on the continent and a vision of timeless Africa. Travel the jungled Udzungwa Mountains and negotiate the dramatic switchbacks, viaducts and tunnels of the escarpment. Pass baobab forests and ascend the Rift Valley to the border, almost exactly the midpoint between Africa’s two Great Rift Valley lakes. Join the TAZARA railway line – an engineering tour de force – as it passes through remote territory to Chishimba Falls where a rock-pool excursion is enjoyed. Cross the mighty Zambezi River into Victoria Falls and explore one of the natural wonders of the world. Travel south along the edge of the Kalahari Basin to Madikwe to enjoy the Big Five. After a tour of South Africa’s capital, Pretoria, traverse the Karoo with visits to Kimberley’s Diamond Mine Museum and the historic village of Matjiesfontein before descending through the winelands to journey’s end in Cape Town.
Step aboard the vintage wood-panelled coaches and sit back as some of the most varied scenery imaginable unfolds beyond the windows. With discreet and friendly service, top cuisine and a selection of South Africa’s finest wines, Rovos Rail harks back to a simpler, more elegant era encompassing the timeless grace and high romance of African exploration.
The beautifully rebuilt trains, which may be hauled by diesel or electric locomotives, carry a maximum of 72 passengers in 36 superbly appointed suites.
- 15 Days
- Max People: 72
Departure & Return Location
Tazara Railway Station, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
Cape Town Station, South Africa
Prices from:
- Pullman Gold from $21,590
- Deluxe from $28,565
- Royal from $37,460
What to Expect
PULLMAN GOLD SUITES ±7m2 • ±76ft2
The wood-panelled sleeper coaches, remodelled and refurbished to mint condition, offer every modern convenience and comfort with fittings and facilities that are of the highest standard. The Pullman Golds, used on our long journeys, accommodate one or two passengers and have an en-suite bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. During the day, the suites are setup with split twin beds configured as sofa-seats (optional) with a conversion to split twin or double beds for the evening. A dedicated host/ess is available at all times and services the suites daily. Suite configurations are subject to availability.
DELUXE SUITES ±10m2 • ±108ft2
The wood-panelled sleeper coaches, remodelled and refurbished to mint condition, offer every modern convenience and comfort with fittings and facilities that are of the highest standard. The Deluxes accommodate one or two passengers in double or twin beds and have their own lounge area and en-suite bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. A dedicated host/ess is available at all times and services the suites daily. Suite configurations are subject to availability.
ROYAL SUITES ±16m2 • ±172ft2
The wood-panelled sleeper coaches, remodelled and refurbished to mint condition, offer every modern convenience and comfort with fittings and facilities that are of the highest standard. The Royals each take up half a carriage with their own private lounge area and en-suite bathroom with Victorian bath, separate shower, toilet and basin. They accommodate one or two passengers in double or twin beds. A dedicated host/ess is available at all times and services the suites daily. Suite configurations are subject to availability.
ITINERARY INCLUDES/EXCLUDES
- Accommodation
- All meals
- All beverages on board
- Room service
- Limited laundry service
- Excursions with a qualified guide (where applicable)
- Entrance fees as per itinerary
- On-board historian and doctor
- Government tax
- Off-train beverages
- International sparkling wine
- Gratuities
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Visas
- Travel insurance
- Pre-and post-tour transfers, accommodation and flights
Tour Plan
Tour Amenities
Day 1 Dar es Salaam
09:30: Check-in reception at the Kivukoni Room, Serena Hotel, Ohio Street, Dar es Salaam. Transfer to Tazara Station.
12:00: Depart from Tazara Station in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Guests may freshen up in their suites before joining fellow travellers in the lounge car and observation car, which will be at the front of the train for the first 72 hours – a different aspect that our rail enthusiasts enjoy.
13:00: Lunch is served in the dining cars. The train travels the fertile lands of Tanzania towards the Selous.
16:30: Tea is served in the lounge and observation cars.
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars en route to Fuga Halt for overnight. Dress: Formal
Day 2 Selous Game Reserve
Day 3 Makambako (Optional)
Day 4 Chisimba Falls
07:00: Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00. Border formalities take place.
13:00: Lunch is served in the dining cars. The train travels the TAZARA railway line, an engineering tour de force and one of Africa’s best-kept secrets as it passes through remote territory.
14:30: Enjoy a visit to Chisimba Falls where guests can take a pleasant walk down to the rock pools at the base of the falls or admire them from various viewpoints. Return to the train by 18:00.
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: “Africa” Theme or Smart Casual
Chisimba Falls is a series of three waterfalls named Mutumuna, Kaela and Chishimba (Chisimba), which are separated over 300m along the Luombe River. According to Bemba tradition, the nature spirit “Chishimba” lives in a cave behind the falls therefore no bad behavior (including fights, insults and arrogance) is allowed in this area. Though the Bemba people arrived here in the 17th century, they weren’t the first as the land surrounding the falls is dotted with evidence of Iron Age activities including kilns, smelting pipes and iron ore deposits.
Day 5 At Leisure On Board
07:00: Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00.
13:00: Lunch is served in the dining cars. The train is turned at Kapiri Mposhi.
16:30: Tea is served in the lounge car and observation car.
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: Formal
Day 6 At Leisure On Board
07:00: Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00. The train departs Lusaka, capital of Zambia.
After breakfast the train crosses the Kafue Railway Bridge – a 477-metre long steel girder truss bridge of 13 spans each at 33 metres supported on concrete piers.
13:00: Lunch is served in the dining cars. The train travels to Zimbabwe.
16:30: Tea is served in the lounge car and observation car.
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: Formal
Day 7 Victoria Falls (Off-train accommodation: Victoria Falls Hotel)
07:00: Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00. Border formalities take place. Cross the Victoria Falls Bridge.
11:00: Arrive at the incomparable Victoria Falls. Disembark with an overnight bag and walk across to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Welcome address on the lawn followed by lunch at Jungle Junction. Luggage will be delivered to the rooms.
15:45 WINTER / 16:15 SUMMER Meet in the hotel foyer before departure for the sunset cruise on the Zambezi.
19:30: Dinner at the Livingstone Room, Victoria Falls Hotel. Dress: Smart Casual (strictly no safari-wear, shorts, sandals or sneakers)
Plunging over the lip of the Victoria Falls is the largest body of falling water on earth. The mighty Zambezi, fourth longest river in Africa, is about 2kms wide above the falls and cascades dramatically over a precipice 1.6km in length and 108m at its deepest, compressing the vast volume of water into a chasm 50m wide. The sound can be deafening, the aspect magnificent and the memory indelible. In autumn, the spray is so great it inhibits photography while in spring the seasonal flow considerably reduces leaving large slabs of brown basalt exposed on the lip.
Day 8 Victoria Falls
06:30: Breakfast is served at the Jungle Junction Restaurant until 10:00. Day at leisure in the Victoria Falls.
12:00: Lunch at Jungle Junction Restaurant, Victoria Falls Hotel.
16:00: Meet on station platform.
17:00: Depart Victoria Falls.
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: Formal
Day 9 At Leisure On Board
07:00: Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00. Border formalities take place.
13:00: Lunch is served in the dining cars. The train crosses the Tropic of Capricorn and the eastern edge of the Kalahari Basin. Known as ‘Kgalagadi’ in Botswana, the Kalahari (which extends to 900 000km2 and covers much of Botswana, parts of Namibia and South Africa) is not a true desert as it does experience small amounts of rain, with some areas enjoying up to 250mm. The surrounding basin covers over 2,500,000km2 extending farther into Botswana, Namibia and South Africa and encroaching into parts of Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It is part desert, part plateau. The only constant river, the Okavango, flows into a delta in the northwest forming marshes that are rich in wildlife.
16:30: Tea is served in the lounge car and observation car.
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: Formal
Day 10 Madikwe Game Reserve (Off-train accommodation: Madikwe)
07:00: Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 09:30.
10:00: Transfer (±90 min) to a lodge in Madikwe for a two-night stay. Border formalities will take place en route and guests are required to present themselves to officials. Lunch is served upon arrival.
Afternoon tea and game drive (approximately 3 hours).
19:00: Dinner at the lodge. Dress: Casual
Madikwe is a prime malaria-free Big 5 wildlife reserve bordering Botswana. It lies within a transition zone between the North West Province bushveld and Kalahari thornveld with enormous volcanic intrusions, wide open plains and the riverine environment along the Marico River. As a result, the region is host to an incredible diversity of species from both ecosystems with a rich assortment of vegetation and more than 300 resident and migrant bird species.
Day 11 Madikwe Game Reserve (Off-train accommodation: Madikwe)
Early morning game drive (approximately 3 hours).
07:00: Breakfast is served at the lodge until 09:30.
12:30: Lunch at the lodge.
Afternoon tea and game drive (approximately 3 hours).
19:00: Dinner at the lodge. Dress: Casual
Day 12 Madikwe Game Reserve
Early morning game drive (approximately 2 hours).
07:00: Breakfast is served until 09:30. Please ensure that your bags are ready for collection by 10:30 and proceed to check out.
11:00: Depart the lodge and transfer to the train at Zeerust.
13:00: Lunch is served in the dining cars.
16:30: Tea is served in the lounge car and observation car.
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: Formal
Day 13 Pretoria
07:00: Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00. The train travels through the goldfields.
10:00: Arrive at Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria. Enjoy a city tour of Pretoria followed by lunch on the Rovos Rail platform and a walking tour of the station and locomotive workshops (weather permitting).
16:30: Tea is served in the lounge car and observation car.
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: Formal
Day 14 Kimberley
07:00: Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00.
Enjoy a tour of Kimberley’s Diamond Mine Museum and the Big Hole. Capital of the Northern Cape, Kimberley is well known for the discovery of diamonds that led to its establishment in 1871.
13:00: Lunch is served in the dining cars. Travel through the Karoo, a vast semi-desert region that was once an enormous inland sea. Over millions of years, volcanic matter was ground down and deposited as silt upon the seabed to form what geologists call the Karoo system.
16:30: Tea is served in the lounge and observation cars.
19:30: Dinner is served in the dining cars. Dress: “1920s” Theme or Smart Casual
Day 15 Matjiesfontein & Cape Town
07:00: Breakfast is served in the dining cars until 10:00. During breakfast, there is a chance for guests to disembark the train at Whitehill Siding and walk the 5km into Matjiesfontein. A member of staff will accompany the group.
Disembark at Matjiesfontein for an opportunity to stroll through the historic village. Of special interest is the museum on the platform and a collection of historic cars and railway carriages to the right of the Lord Milner Hotel.
About an hour after Matjiesfontein, the train arrives at the first of four tunnels on the pass. The first tunnel is 13.5km long so guests are to be careful when walking through the train and may wish to turn on necessary lights.
13:00: Lunch is served in the dining cars. The train climbs ±750m down the escarpment through the Hex River Valley.
16:30: Tea is served in the lounge and observation cars.
18:00: The train arrives at journey’s end at Cape Town Station.
